Wednesday, July 14, 2004

Politics: Gay Marraige Amendment Dead

Via the AP. Six Republicans joined the Democrats to defeat the Gay Hating Amendment. Sore loser and complete fucking jackass Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) had this preposterous quote:

"I would argue that the future of our country hangs in the balance because the future of marriage hangs in the balance," said Sen. Rick Santorum, a leader in the fight to approve the measure. "Isn't that the ultimate homeland security, standing up and defending marriage?"

Are you sure Senator? Is it just the future of our country, or will the very universe itself wink out of existence if the gay couple down the street ties the knot?

UPDATE: After further reading, I now understand this was a "cloture" vote, not an actual vote on the Amendment. Which I sort of knew going in, but forgot about in the excitement of the Republican beat-down. What this means is that this was a vote to end debate and proceed to an up-or-down vote on the actual Amendment. This is good, because Kerry and Edwards missed the vote, but it was really, for all intents and purposes, merely a procedural vote.

The Republicans didn't even get a majority (50%), never mind the 60 votes actually needed to even bring the Amendment to a vote. Thankfully it is (deliberately) difficult to change the Constitution. these idiots are long way from having the super-majorities needed in both Houses, plus three-quarters of all states needed to ratify an Amendment. It really just serves to illustrate the motives here are pure politics, pandering and a complete waste of everyone's time.